The Marko Polo Festival opens every year with the Wine Festival — an evening dedicated to the wines of the island of Korčula and the surrounding wine country.

Winemakers present and compete with their wines before a professional panel of oenologists, and the best wine each year is awarded the festival's Grand Prix.

The Wine Festival is part of the festival's song-and-wine tradition running since 1996, when it was founded to mark the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's return to Korčula.

Winemakers who wish to take part submit their wines ahead of the festival — the organiser announces the call for entries each year in advance.